Key retainer



R. R. GETTS KEY RETAINER April 7, 1931.

Filed Feb. 2l, 1929 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED sTATEs RALPH 1t. GETTS, 0F FORT WAYNE, INDIANA Application illed February 21, 1929. Serial No. 341,760.

This invention relates to a key retainer and it generally aims to provide "an exceedingly compact, noiseles's, externally unobstructed construction.

It also aims to provide such an article which may be manufactured at minimum cost and may be readily operated when fastening keys therein and in moving a part thereof to expose a key, and a construction wherein the device as a whole maybe manipulated to operate a key so that the latter does not have to be specifically touched.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illus- Ytrating an operative embodiment.

. In said drawings Figure 1is a view of the device in elevation,

Figurel 2 is another view of the device in elevation but reverse to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the device comprises spaced apart side disks 10 which are preferably similar in construction.` Interposed between the disks and y spacing them apart are studs 11 at one end of which are provided with integral rivets 12 whereby they are rigidly fastened to one of the disks 10. The other disk 10 is fastened to the studs 11 by means of screws`13. One of the studs 11 is centrally located and the other studs 11 are located oif center. The ofi' center studs are to have keys such as are shown at 14 strung thereon by means of holes 15 therethrough and between different keys, disks 16 of Celluloid or other suitable material are interposed so as to avoid rattling or contact of the keys and between the outermost strip 16 and adjacent disk 10 a strip or disk of felt 17 may be interposed, being fastened for instance to 50 the adjacent disklO if desired or it may be loose if preferred. The keys 14 and disks 16 are readily removable when the screws 13 have been removed, as will be understood. In the contained position of the keys, as shown in Figure 4, they are located within the periphery of the disks 10 and so 'maintained by the generally arcuate guard 18. The guard 18 has an arm 19 pivotally mounted on the centrally located stud 11, and said stud is preferably provided with a covering of felt or other cushioning or non-rattling material at 20 so that the keys cannot strike the metal thereotl and produce a rattling noise. In addition to the arm 19. one face of the guard 18 also has inwardly extending flanges 21, on the same plane as the arm, forming an extended bearing for the guard on the adjacent disk 10, and a circumferential wall 21a perpendicular to the arm 19 and flanges 21, and forming the hook ends hereinbefore referred to. Normally the guard is held in the position shown in Figure 4 by the engagement of the depressed lug 22 on one of the disks 1() engaging a depression 23 in the arm 19, the parts being resilient so that the lug and depression may readily engage and disengage. The guard may be operated by engaging a knob or lug 24 thereon.

On the outer surface of each disk 10, it preferably has struck out gripping ribs 25.

lVhen the device is used and is to be operated to render a key accessible, the device may be held in one hand with the thumb and fore finger engaging the lugs 25 so that the disks 10 will not turn. The other hand may be used to manipulate the knob 24 in either direction, thereby swinging the guard to a position exposing a row of the keys, the particular row depending on the direction of turning. The device may then be inverted and the released keys will hold vertically and thereby project beyond the periphery of the disks 10, after which the undesired keys may be restored to a position within the periphery and the guard 18 moved to prevent the same from projecting out of that position, the key remaining in projected position may then be used, it not eing necessary to touch the key but the disks 10 being ipped and in effect serving` such key.'

as a handle or manipulatin After the key is used, the ar is manipulated to permit the key to e returned to its enclosed position. vIt will be understood,

that the device ma be made of any suitable material and may e ornamented as desired to provide an attractive and pleasing appearance. It is furthermore understood that the device possesses unusuall durability and longevity.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A key retainer comprising a pair of disks, a stud at the center thereof, studs on each side of the Iirst mentioned stud constituting key Stringing members, means removably securing one of the disks to the central stud, a guard pivoted on said central stud and being generally arcuate so as to normally prevent projection of the keys beyond the disks.

2. A key retainer, comprising disks, a guard member revolubly mounted relatively to said disks and having a segmental wall, a key engaging member connecting said disks, said key engaging member being eccentric to the axis of the guard member, said segmental wall, in one osition of the guard member, holding keys 1n retracted position between the disks, and in another position permitting pivotal movement of the vkeys and the projection of the stems thereof from between the disks.

3. A key retainer, comprising disks, studs connecting said disks, one of said studs being arranged centrally of the disks, a guard member revolubly mounted on said stud and having a segmentalwall, another of said studs arranged eccentrically of the disks and providing a pivot for keys, other disks mounted in said studs and separating said keys, said segmental wall, in one position of the guard member, holding the keys in retracted position between the disks, and in another position releasing them to movement on the stud with their stems projecting from the edges of the disks.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

RALPH R. GETTS. 

